Sleeping cover



H. H. PARKS 2,225,884

SLEEPING COVER Dec. 24, 1940.

Filed April 6, 1959 Jh 1 I l l i r l l l l:

2 claims; (ci. s sssi This invention relateseto a sleeping'cover for infants, and it is primarilyan object of theinvention to provide' a cover which will adequately protect the chestfshoulders, larms and hands of the i 5 infant yet at th'e same time allow the child freedom of movement. l y

`The invention also has for anobject to provide a'cover ofthis kind which may be easily I-laundered and whichfis so constructed as'v to accom'- vl0 mo'date all natural movements of the4 infant Y during sleep such as"l turning; kicking,` sleeping with arms above the head, sleepingprone, etc. l

` WIt is a particular object of the invention to `provide a cover lof this kind which is provided at 1,5, its'upper part withiarm' pockets that are comi, parativelyshort and fulland which, whileallowing plentyof freedom for the arms, canno `accidentally'cover the face. l

A urther object of the invention is to provide a cover of this kind which isrprovided at its up- Y i p'e'rpor'tion with a back 4member together with meansfor lmaintaining `.such back :member smoothand straightupon the bed.`

The invention has `for a still further object to provide a cover having arm pockets and wherein such arm pockets have associated therewith means whereby such pockets `may be anchored in attained andthe article rendered simpler,` less expensiverand "otherwiseA more convenient and e'advantageousr for use, as' will be hereinafter more fully set forth.- i

` j j The novel features of my invention will here- 40 inafter be definitely claimed.4 i i, i

In order that myv invention may be the better understood, I will `nowwproceed to describethe same with referenceto'the accompanying drawing, Whereinz n Figure 1` is a view in top plan of a sleeping cover constructed inaccordance with an embodiment of my invention; e l Figure 2 is a view in bottom plan of the cover as herein disclosed with certain of the parts folded back;

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view taken sub` stantially on the linei3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view taken subu stantially on the line 4 4 of Figure 2.

The cover as herein disclosed may bemade of any desired material to suit various seasonal and climatic conditions. It is tol be stated; however, that contrary to general belief; keeping aninfant covered is more of a warm weather'than a-x i winter problem because in warm weather the infant ismoreinclined to `kick off the covers.-MY improved cover, therefore, is particularly adapted for `warm weatheruse and mayv serve as the only covering necessary. If made ofa light material, such as muslin, thercover may be used in very hot weather yet restrain the childin a comfortable position in bed and wardoif` the chill which generally comes after midnight. l How? ever, the cover may be made foffblanketingmaterial for winter or any othencharacter of goods as preferred. V

Myrimproved cover as herein ,disclosed com-y prises a sheet I of desired material andlof such dimensions preferred. Itj is of advantage to have the sheetl l of a'width in excess of the width of the crib or kindred bed upon which it is used. This sheet I is of a general rectangular form except that, its `upper or top` cornerportions are rounded off, as at`2, with the intermediate `or central top portion cut down a material jdi'stance, asatltotheneckl. ,e

Extending across the upper portion ofthe sheet I is aback member 5 which extends downwardly along the sheet I a material distanceor` to a4 point at substantially the middle ofthe" 'back of the infant with.` whom the coveris used AThis back member5.is flat and hasits upper marginal portions cut'to conform to the-cutting of the .adjacent top portion o f the sheet I. I This back `member 5, however, is of a length'less than the width of the sheet I atthe adjacent` portion thereof so that in attaching the marginal portion of thesheet I to the marginal portions of the lback member 5 such portionof the sheet I of necessity must be shirred. This results inthe formation at the opposite sides of the neck `Lof relatively large and roomy pockets `6` to receive the arms of the infant and allowing the infant to freely move its arms so that no `hindrance or obstruction will be givento the natural .movements of the infant particularly-during sleep such as turning, kicking,v sleeping with arms above the head or extended, sleeping prone, etc. It 1s to be especially noted, however, that these arm pockets 6 while comparatively short and full and giving plenty of freedom to the arms, cannot accidentally cover the face.

The upper portion of the back member 5 is 'PATENT OFFICE Maxam y of the infant Vfrom blanket materials.V

e is

The central portion ofthe back member 5 has its lower margin free from the sheet I and said lowermarginal lportion of the member 5 is continued by a straight band 5 which has its opl positeendportions'for a considerable distance free andunobstructed to provide naps I0.

Stitched to the upper and lower marginal portions of' the' band 9. and flaps I0 are thereinforcing tapes a. The extremities of these tapes-a ateach side of the cover have secured thereto lthe end portions of an elastic web I I providing a loop.v Engaged with each of the webs I I is a hook member Hvto be secured to the spring of a crib or Y. bed-iatone side, of

The hook member H i butassures, a secure connection and lsuch hook is also of a type that'cannot be damaged in 3U laundering and particularly when passing through a.A wringer'.

n rfhe lhook member H is preferably made ofl rustproof steel.

The flaps Ill preferably form the only anchorage of the back member 5 so that the arm pockets 6 will be .left free to turn with the infant. In

applying` the cover tothe bed the band 9 is "i beyond the `drawn andvheldsmoothly across the bed.

` The upper portion of the sheet I at substantially the center of the neck 4 is cut or slit downiwardly, as .at I2,` to a point preferably below or back.' member 5 and its associated band a.. 'rhissiit l2 isadapted to be maintained closed bythe fastening elements Il preferably of a zipper type. while the neck 4 is further provided at itsnend Yportions with the conventional Y. separable' fasteners I5 preferably of a snap type.

` One marginal portion of the slit I2 has disposed `therealong an under facing strip I6 vto prevent any Yof vthe fastening elements I4 from 'contacting the infant.l Y 1 The sheet Ilat its lower end and also at points in relatively close proximity to the band 9 is provided.Y at its'opposite side marginal portions with the elastic tapes I1 each of which carries a hook member `M `to provide means for securing the sheet I and particularly the lower portion thereof y to the spring or Aother parts of a crib or bed.

The upper end portions of the back member 5, as herein disclosed, are provided with the loops I8 f to permit tapes, cords or pins to be used to anchor vthe armpocketsV 6 to the bed or crib to restrain the infant when `the infant has a tendency to suc/k his hands through the cover; tends tocrawl down under the cover, etc. l

The inner extremities of the upper marginal portions of the flaps III and the adjacent marginal portions of theback member 5 have secured thereto the strengthening gores IS. l

It is believed to beobvious that the cover as the mattressv on the spring.

is of a typethat easily hooks herein disclosed is one that can `easily be laundered and maintained in `a sanitary condition and that it is also one which can be easily used. It is also\ believed to be apparent that the cover, as

herein disclosed, is one that is relatively light in weight and can be easily folded or compacted to be packed in a bag with other clothing for the infant. This is of advantage because it is well known that when away from home the use of a familiar cover will generally cause an infant to promptly go to sleep as by the use of a familiar .cover the child does not have to overcome a feeling of strangeness." It is'alsojbelievedto be apparent that the cover may be quickly and easily applied and can be readily used with or without a pillow. e

A mother by placing a hand at the childs back can lift it to a sitting position, as for the purpose of giving a drink, without unfastening the covering in any way. The infant is also easily accessible for attention.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a sleeping cover constructed in accordance with my invention isparticularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience andl facility with which it may be assembled andvused,

and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and forthis reason lI do not -wish to be understoodas limiting myself to ,theprecise ar` rangement -and formationof thesever'al parts"n herein shown in carrying= out my ,invention 'ine practice exceptas hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A sleeping cover for infants comprising .an

elongated sheet having its -uppercorner portions rounded with the centraljpartof said upper portion cut down a materialdistance to the neck, av

back member extending across the upperportion of the sheet, the` top and side marginalportions of the back member and the sheetbeing con-` y nected except at the neck, the lower marginal portion of the back member being free of connection with the sheet,"the marginalportions ofthe. sheet secured to the back member being shirred to providearm pockets, and a back band having;

its central portion secured to the ycentral por-z tion of the lower free margin of theback member,

the extremities ofthe back band constituting flaps. l

2. A sleeping cover for infants comprising anv elongated sheet having its upper corner portions rounded with the central part of said upper por-V tion cut down a material distance to the neck, a backvmember extending across the upper portion of the sheet, the top and side marginal portions of the back member and .the sheet being connected except at theneck, the lower marginal-` portion of the back member beingffree of connection with theV sheet, the marginal portions of the sheet securedto the back member being 4v*si'iirred i to provide arm "pockets,l .a backband qhaving .itsA

central portion secured to vthe ,central portion of the lower free margin of the back member. the extremities of the back band 'constituting flaps, and elastic anchoringmeans carried bythe l l outer end portions of the flaps.

HELEN H. PARKS. 

